Yeah it was a good attack, the last little rise probably was enough to cost him the race. Good race by the winner also who was on and off the bunch on the last lap. I really thought Gerrans was going to win the bunch sprint.

I still really like the parcours. Seems to be multiple ways to win, for multiple kinds of riders. However, interesting to note that sprinters from a select bunch have taken out 2 out of 3. And Leigh Howard was not far off last year, which would have = 3/3.

Maybe the finish line closer to the final climb would give the climbers a bit more of chance? Or maybe it's their fault for not really destroying the peloton when they could??

Hats off to Haas for trying to avoid a bunch sprint, he's obviously got awesome form to be able to go with the Chaves attack and still contest the sprint. Gerrans beat him to the line at Nationals and there were some other good sprinters still there too, so why not roll the dice.

I liked it. And I'm glad Eurosport broadcast it live (throughout) on the player, and that they provided commentators as well. The lack of commentating on the player-only feeds has - to me - been one of the problems with watching a race that way. Sure, it was English commentating but... well... that's not really a problem to me.
Cadel Evans as commentator, though. Naaah... Stick to the race organising and promoting. (At least one of the other guys in the box could have given the poor guy a cough drop.)

That being said I am looking forward to races being at a bit more reasonable hours. And saying that I realise how lucky I am that I am so used to racing taking place in - or at least close to - my timezone. I guess for you Aussies having races in the middle of the night is the common way of things.

I know that Edmondson is training in Adelaide and I believe he is riding the Herald Sun Tour - No idea what's happening with Power - All i know he was a last minute withdrawal from the Australian RR - Surprised he's not with Haig and the rest of the climbers in Spain.

Looks like we now know why he isn't in Spain training with the climbers as he is still in Australia and was announced on the Startlist for the Sun Tour. Orica's squad for the race
Gerrans
Chaves
Howson
Power
Docker
Bewley
Hepburn

I know that Edmondson is training in Adelaide and I believe he is riding the Herald Sun Tour - No idea what's happening with Power - All i know he was a last minute withdrawal from the Australian RR - Surprised he's not with Haig and the rest of the climbers in Spain.

Looks like we now know why he isn't in Spain training with the climbers as he is still in Australia and was announced on the Startlist for the Sun Tour. Orica's squad for the race
Gerrans
Chaves
Howson
Power
Docker
Bewley
Hepburn

Should be a good Sun Tour this year, if Froome or Chaves aren't in some type of form then the next level down has plenty of competition. Howson (Orica), Ellisonde, Seb Henao (Sky), Acevedo, Norris (UHC), Hucker (IsoWhey), Dyball (St George), Earle, Meyer, Hindley, Storer (Korda Mentha), Dion Smith, Oram (New Zealand).

I know that Edmondson is training in Adelaide and I believe he is riding the Herald Sun Tour - No idea what's happening with Power - All i know he was a last minute withdrawal from the Australian RR - Surprised he's not with Haig and the rest of the climbers in Spain.

Looks like we now know why he isn't in Spain training with the climbers as he is still in Australia and was announced on the Startlist for the Sun Tour. Orica's squad for the race
Gerrans
Chaves
Howson
Power
Docker
Bewley
Hepburn